Bridges, pathways and valleys: Labour market position and risk of hospitalization in a Swedish sample aged 55-63

Background: The combination of population ageing and increasingly early labour market exit (LME) throughout Europe has made older age a key issue in social policy and research. There is increasing awareness that older people are a heterogeneous group in which health inequalities persist. However, the effects of different types of LME on health have received relatively little attention. Existing studies reach different conclusions. This might be due to several reasons: different types of LME are rarely explored in conjuncture; studies often lack objective assessments of health and frequently rely on small populations. This paper aims to test the relative effects of different LME on the risk of hospitalization compared with those who remained in paid employment. Methods: Using Government register data on pooled cross-section samples of Swedish workers aged 55-63 years (n=7,024) the authors have compared the likelihood of hospitalization for three types of LME - disability pension (förtidpension), unemployment, and early retirement - with those who continue working. Results: Controlling for previous hospitalization, sex, age, social class, and health at work a significant increased risk of hospitalization was found following LME for the unemployed (OR = 1.98). Conclusion: Early LME is a varied process with mixed effects on health, and hence is of possible importance for policy, which, therefore, requires more attention. Programmes to help older unemployed workers back into work will have positive health effects for individuals and reduce welfare costs of hospitalization. © Taylor & Francis 2004.